Thursday, September 1, 2016

Closings, preparations for Hermine

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, Armstrong State University, Savannah State University, and SCAD are closed tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 2 in anticipation of heavy rain and winds due to Tropical Storm Hermine.

The First Friday Art March has also been cancelled.

The Savannah Belles Ferry will shut down tonight at 10:00 PM and remain closed through 8:00 PM Friday, September 2, 2016. The opening at 8:00 PM tomorrow is subject to change depending on weather conditions improving.

The Savannah Waterfront Association has made some schedule changes to BaconFest.

The new dates and hours are Saturday, September 3, 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm and Sunday, September 4, 11:00 am- 8:00 pm.

Thrill-seekers headed to Ft. Pulaski should know the National Monument will close today at 1 p.m. and remain closed Friday as well, with plans to reopen on Saturday.

Georgia Ports Authority has shut down all activity for Friday.

The City of Savannah is currently preparing for tropical storm Hermine, which is expected to bring strong wind and heavy rain to Chatham County on Friday.

Residents should be aware that yard waste will not be collected on Friday, but postponed until Saturday. The River Street parking lots will be closed Friday due to the threat of storm surge.

The City of Savannah is urging residents to prepare for the effects of Tropical Storm Hermine, which is expected to impact Savannah beginning Friday morning, and to use caution during and after the storm event:

· Build an emergency kit – including food, water and supplies – and make a family communications plan.

· Secure outside items that could be vulnerable to the strong winds we’re expecting. This includes securing your trash and recycling carts.

· Don’t drive through standing water. In addition to the risk to your safety, wake from your car will push water from the streets into surrounding property, increasing the chance of structural flooding.

Tropical Storm Hermine is forecasted to produce high winds and 4 to 8 inches of rainfall in southeast Georgia, with a total of 10 inches expected through Saturday.

The City rightly and responsibly expects cultural organizations to diversify their funding streams and not be overly reliant on taxpayer largesse. Most administrations, however, have seen the value of the investment not only for political purposes, but also because it’s just the right thing to do.